So I bought my husband a fly rod to travel with - a Sage Z-Axis series, 590-4 (4 piece, 9 foot rod for a 5 weight line). Now I need to get a reel and I am overwhelmed. I was looking at a St. Croix Legend reel 5/6 weight on sale for $99 simply because it seemed like a great deal. But I wonder if I should get him a 4/5 weight instead since he already has a 5/6 weight Orvis reel...

I know this is a wide-open question, but I know very little about fly fishing equipment. So any suggestions regarding particular reels I should consider, or what to consider when choosing a 4/5 weight vs/ 5/6 weight reel would be greatly appreciated.

You already bought a Cadilac of a rod, so don't hang fuzzy dice from the mirror! I recommend a Lamson reel. I think the new Lamson Guru G2 is a good reel, and of course you can always get a Sage reel....say the 3850. Both are very light weight, and neither should break the bank.

Welcome to NAFFF. Thanks for joining and I hope you or your husband become an active member.

To be honest there is no reason he can't use the same Orvis reel he now has. If it doesn't have a 5wt line on it you can buy just a spare spool from Orvis to fit his reel.

It is really hard to recommend a new reel with out knowing your budget. If you are looking for another good deal then you should consider the Allen Fly Fishing reel sold here on NAFFF with a special price for members.

If you have a higher budget there are many reels that would be appreciated by your husband. So if we know what you want to spend I am sure you will get a lot of good suggestions.

As Frank suggested, let us know your budget, I'm sure folks will come up with good suggestions.

One thing i like to do with reels is to get duplicates, (assuming the rods have similar line weights) so that spools will be interchangeable from one reel to the other. In this case it would mean buying your husband the same model Orvis reel he has now (assuming he's happy with it). You might consider that as well.

Welcome Sarah.
I fish a Galvan Torque-5 on that rod. Nice folks to deal with, and a drag that will gently stop a train. Ross reels fill the bill as well. The Orvis extra spool is a good approach. Price being no object, style being the object, the Able fish paint jobs are sweet.
As MP said matching green is very nice.
I'd shy away from too shiny. Don't want to spook'em before we catch'em.

Sarah, you should know we all love to give a shout out to our favorite reels! But, just say no to a pawl drag. It's like drum brakes vs. disc brakes.
I prefer a silent drag when a fish is on (no sense advertising), the scream of the reel, isn't for me. Nor, can it have as subtle braking adjustments.
No offence meant to tightlines. It is an inexpensive and classic reel that's hard to wear out. I still have one.
But a state of the art rod (I think) deserves the same level of technology in the reel..
Esthetics and all..... then again, it just holds line, till you meet a big one.....